Ferrule



Feb. 27, 1940. c. NICHOLSON 2,192,097

FERRULE Filed June 23, 1939 Patented Feb. 27, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Haldie Nicholson 00.,

Leominster, Mass., a. corporation V of Massachusetts Application June 23, 1939, Serial No. 280,854

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a ferrule particularly adapted to finish and protect the end of an umbrella or parasol.

It is the general object of my invention to pro- 5 vide a ferrule which may be economically manufactured and quickly and easily applied, and which may be thereafter removed and replaced as desired.

An important feature of the invention is the provision of internal drive threads in the ferrule, which adapts the ferrule to be driven onto a stick or other support with a combined axial and angular movement.

My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a side View of my improved ferrule;

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a plan view;

Fig. 4 is a bottom view, looking in the direction of the arrow 4 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, taken along the line 5--5 in Fig. 2 and also showing a stick in section.

My improved ferrule I is of integral or onepiece construction and is preferably formed from some plastic material such as cellulose acetate by a pressing or injection-molding operation. The ferrule has the general shape of a thimble, with the lower part shown as flared outward and provided with external ribs I2 forming a part of an ornamental design.

The ferrule is a1so provided with a broad and relatively shallow outer recess 14 and with a deeper and narrower inner recess Hi. The recess l receives the end of the rod or stick 8 on which the ferrule is mounted, and the recess I4 receives and covers the edges of the fabric forming the outer surface of the umbrella.

The inner recess I5 is provided with a plurality of inwardly-projecting and helically-disposed 45 ribs 20, separated by depressed portions or grooves 2|. The helix angle of the ribs 20 is relatively small, so that the ribs 20 correspond in general to the threads of a drive screw and the ferrule is thus adapted to be applied to a stick or rod by a driving force axially applied. Thus driven, the ferrule will twist itself into place and will be firmly held from displacement without the use of glue or cement.

The grooves 2| between the ribs 20 are preferably of slightly greater diameter than the end .of the stick 5- to be inserted in the ferrule, so that the outer parts of the grooves 2| form air vents for the ferrule as the ferrule is driven on the stick.

The ribs 20 are, however, of less diameter than the stick S, so that they bite into the surface of the stick when driven thereon and firmly secure the ferrule. Even if the stick shrinks slightly, the angular disposition of the ribs 20 tends to prevent the axial displacement and loss of the ferrule which has been a common experience with ferrules as heretofore manufactured.

Furthermore, the helical arrangement of the ribs permits convenient removal of the ferrule, when necessary or desirable, and subsequent re placement of the ferrule by simply unscrewing and screwing-on the ferrule. This is a substantial advantage, as the removal of a glued or cemented ferrule has been extremely difiicult and usually damaged the ferrule so as to prevent further use.

It will be understood that the external design shown in the drawing is illustrative only and may be varied as desired, and it will be further understood that my improved ferrule can be made of plastic material of any desired color or colors to match the covering of the umbrella to which it is applied.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is:

1. A ferrule having an internal and substantially cylindrical recess provided with a plurality of inwardly projecting ribs disposed at a relatively small helix angle.

2. A ferrule having an internal and substantially cylindrical recess provided with a plurality of inwardly projecting ribs disposed at a relatively small helix angle, said ribs being separated by corresponding helical grooves of substantial depth which provide air vents when the ferrule is applied to a stick.

3. A one-piece molded ferrule having a relatively broad and shallow outer recess and a relatively deep and substantially cylindrical inner recess, and the wall of said inner recess having a plurality of inwardly projecting ribs disposed at a relatively small helix angle and forming drive threads for'attachment of said ferrule to a stick.

CELTIC NICHOLSON. 

